The Ministry of Transport wants to increase flight standards for aircraft crews

The Ministry of Transport plans to increase the maximum flight hours for pilots and flight attendants from 80 to 90 hours per month. This follows from the draft order of the department on working and rest conditions for flight personnel, which was reviewed by Izvestia.

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The draft order states that the duration of flight time cannot exceed 90 hours within 30 calendar days, or 270 hours per quarter and 900 per year. Previously, this rate was 80 hours per month and 800 per year. The new order, if adopted, should enter into force on September 1, 2025.

The Russian Flight Crew Union (PLC) strongly opposed the document of the Ministry of Transport.

"Increasing the standard from 80/800 hours to 90/900 allows employers to attract fewer crews while using them more intensively. This is a very heavy burden on crew members, which leads to accumulated fatigue and increased risks to flight safety, especially on short flights," Oleg Prikhodko, Vice President of the Russian Federation's Air Force, told Izvestia.

According to the PLC, now an increase in the flight rate from 80 to 90 hours per week is also applied, but as an exception, with the consent of employees and the trade union. Pilots sign an additional agreement with the airlines and work based on their physical capabilities.

"However, the new draft order of the Ministry of Transport no longer requires the consent of pilots and crew members and actually makes the increased rate the general standard," - told "Izvestia" PLC President Miroslav Boychuk.

The trade unions have prepared amendments to the draft order and sent them to the Ministry of Transport. On March 19, a joint discussion of the document will take place at the working group in the field of air transport under the Administrative reform Commission, which, in addition to trade union leaders, will be attended by representatives of airlines and employees of the Ministry.

According to Aeroflot, the new order of the Ministry of Transport is necessary to protect the interests of flight and cabin crews.

"The increase in working hours to 90 hours per month is aimed at increasing the productivity of flight personnel, and will also contribute to improving their material well-being. The company has submitted its proposals to the Ministry of Transport, based on many years of experience in production activities in the industry," the Aeroflot press service told Izvestia.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Flying in the clouds: The Ministry of Transport wants to increase flight hours for aircraft crews